The C. E. Brock Illustrations of Northanger Abbey

An edition of Northanger Abbey published in 1907 (click here to see the title page) contained the following wonderful color illustrations. The High Priestess and the Chief Acolyte both agree that Mr. Brock was a brother Cultist; his representation of Da Man is truly magnificent, and does the boots and greatcoats full justice. His Henry is tall, dark, and not only very close to handsome, but downright sexy! In the vernacular of our own, less genteel time, he would be termed "a hottie."

The High Priestess has one very small quibble in Mr. Brock's drawings; he draws Da Man dressed all in black. Presumably he did so because in the Victorian era, and even in the later Regency era, clergymen dressed thus. However, if one places the action of the novel in the late 18th century when it was written (and when the Advertisement By The Authoress places it), Henry would probably have dressed much like any other reasonably wealthy country gentleman, in whatever colour he chose. However, the Brock illustrations are too beautiful to voice any great objection. They are hereby listed for the perusal and enjoyment of all Cultists.